Examination of the relationship between self-confidence, well-being, empathy and sympathy levels and peer bullying in adolescents

This study was conducted to determine the levels of peer bullying, self-confidence, well-being, empathy, and sympathy in adolescents; to evaluate the relationship between peer bullying and self-confidence, well-being, empathy, and sympathy levels; and to examine the factors influencing peer bullying. It is a descriptive and relational study. The population of the study consisted of 3,468 high school students studying in the central districts of Konya during the 2023–2024 academic year. The sample size of the study was 1,250 students. The Personal Information Form, Peer Bullying Identification Scale (PBIS) Adolescent Form, Self-Confidence Scale, Five-Dimensional Well-Being (EPOCH – Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, Happiness) Scale, and Adolescent Measure of Empathy and Sympathy (AMES) were used to collect the study data. In the evaluation of the data, number, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, independent groups t-test, One-Way ANOVA test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used. The level of statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. According to the findings obtained from the study, the mean total PBIS bully score of adolescents was found to be 73.62±22.53, and the mean total PBIS victim score was found to be 79.37±22.86. It was determined that there is no statistically significant relationship between adolescents' total PBIS bully score and self-confidence level (r=0.012, p>0.05), while there is a statistically significant negative correlation with well-being (r=-0.710, p<0.05), cognitive empathy (r=-0.111, p<0.05), emotional empathy (r=-0.490, p<0.05), and sympathy level (r=-0.310, p<0.05). It was determined that there is a statistically significant negative correlation between adolescents' total PBIS victim score and self-confidence (r=-0.311, p<0.05) and well-being level (r=-0.780, p<0.05), a statistically significant positive correlation with cognitive empathy (r=0.610, p<0.05) and emotional empathy (r=0.404, p<0.05), and no significant correlation with the level of sympathy (r=-0.630, p>0.05). It was determined that adolescents' age, gender, grade level, mother's education level, family income level, parents' employment status, academic achievement, well-being, cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, and sympathy levels explained 71.2% of the variation in the total bully score (Adjusted R²=0.712, p<0.05). It was determined that adolescents' age, gender, grade level, academic achievement, self-confidence, well-being, cognitive empathy, and emotional empathy levels explained 73.6% of the variation in the total victimization score (Adjusted R²=0.736, p<0.05). It was determined that adolescents' levels of bullying and victimization were moderate. Adolescents' levels of well-being, empathy, and sympathy are significant predictors of peer bullying, while self-confidence, well-being, and empathy levels are significant predictors of peer victimization. In line with these results, it is recommended to identify the factors influencing the prevalence of peer bullying and victimization, investigate the relationships among these factors, and implement intervention programs aimed at increasing adolescents' awareness of peer bullying and related factors.